Mounting arrangement for built-in washing machine



June 19, 1962 Filed June 26, 1961 w. SHELTON ET AL 3,039,284

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUILT-IN WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 "lllm j INVENTORS wmsToN L. SHELTON,

DONALD E. WILSON BYs IIOHN M. av J'EN THEJR ATTORNEY June 19, 1962 w. L. SHELTON ETAL 3,039,284

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUILT-IN WASHING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1961 O Z ((1 7 3 p l o I m t a 3 w .9 4 3 M a m (n O 7 Q H w a 2., w S 6 9 w R W o o 8 4 l 4 J 3 b S 3 7 4 3 S 4 4 l 7 3 O 6 0 6 Q a w s p 9 6 o 5 3 4 OJ J u 8 4 A o a /3 7 3 4 3 5 S 2 2 Q 4 F o f z H E 0 Av 3 h z N a a mm T N Y m a on a N H u E N ESL. R w .wv m IL 5 T a A N 3 W m N o T IO wo 00 Y B J1me 1962 w. SHELTON ET AL 3,039,284

MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUILT-IN WASHING MACHINE new-i INVENTORS WINSTON L. SHELTON, DONALD E. WlLSON BYB Tar-m mfew THE\R ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,039,284 MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR BUILT-IN WASHING MACHINE Winston L. Shelton and Donald E. Wilson, Jelfersontown,

and John M. Evjen, Louisville, Ky., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed June 26, 1961, Ser. No. 119,708 16 Claims. (Cl. 68-3) This invention relates to automatic clothes washing machines, and more particularly to an arrangement for mounting such machines on a wall in a building.

Domestic clothes washing machines, as they are commercially available at the present time, are usually freestanding, that is, they are entirely self-supporting and are not intended to be secured to the wall of a dwelling so as to become, in eifect, part of the dwelling. Rather, they are provided with supply and drain hoses extending therefrom so that the washing machine may retain its independent character, even when in use, by virtue of the substantially complete separation of the washing machine from adjacent parts of the dwelling (except for the usual temporary plumbing and electrical connections).

However the use of built-in appliances, that is, appliances which are virtually a part of the dwelling rather being separate therefrom, is becoming more and more widespread and is starting to find application in connection with washing machines. Making an appliance built-in provides several advantages but, because of the minimum safety and convenience requirements involved (such requirements are, in fact, often formalized by various state statutes and municipal plumbing codes), providing the built-in feature for washing machines has heretofore appeared to be an expensive and difficult undertaking.

The advantages of causing the washing machine to be built-in become even more substantial in the case of a washing machine of the type having a sink formed in its upper surface and faucet connections provided therefor. A washing machine having the sink and faucet features is, for instance, fully described in application Serial No.

81,075 filed on January 6, 1961 by John :E. Rhodes and V assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. Where a sink, or basin, is provided as described in the Rhodes application, it becomes even more desirable that the machine of which the sink forms a part should have the appearance of being built-in, that is, the structure which includes the sink should be integral with the room in which it is positioned rather than being an entirely separate article visibly and structurally independent thereof.

It is, therefore, an object of our invention to provide, in connection with a washing machine, an improved structure for economically and effectively securing it to a wall.

A further object of our invention is to provide such a structure which cooperates with the remainder of the machine to position it precisely and which provides a guide for plumbing connections so that the plumbing connections of the machine and those coming to it from the plumbing system of the building may be brought together easily.

A more specific object of our invention is to provide .such a structure for a washing machine wherein the washing machine is made in two parts, having a sink forming the top surface of the bottom portion which contains the washing means, and having faucet connections extending from the top portion which also contains the controls conventionally associated with domestic automatic washing machines.

In one aspect of our invention, we provide structure of rigid sheet material, such as steel, which is adapted to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs,

3,b39,284 Patented June 19, 1962 ICC and is formed so as to accommodate passage of plumbing and electrical connections. A washing machine is enclosed in a cabinet which substantially encloses the machine except on its back side, and means are provided for securing the machine to the sheet structure, with the cabinet substantially flush against the structure. The structure is substantially coextensive with the back side of the cabinet so as to close it, and thus forms in eifect a fire wall, minimizing the possibility of faulty operation within the machine causing a house fire.

The machine and the structure also cooperate to form between them a substantial space within the cabinet to accommodate the plumbing and electrical apparatus and connections which must necessarily be provided to give proper operation of the machine from exterior plumbing and electrical systems.

The features of our invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

in the drawings,

FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of the rear of a washing machine enclosed by a cabinet formed to be se cured in accordance with our invention.

FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the improved sheet metal structure of our invention including part of the plumbing and electrical control means of the Washing machine which are secured thereon; and

FIGURE 3 is a view along the line 33 in FIGURE 2, showing the sheet metal structure in cooperative relationship to the washing machine of FIGURE 1.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 3 initially, there is shown therein a washing machine having a cabinet generally indicated by the numeral 1 which encloses the various different components conventionally included and assembled together to provide a domestic automatic washing machine. These may include, for instance, an imperforate tub 2 rigidly secured to the cabinet 1, a perforated clothes basket 3 rotatably mounted within tub 2, and an agitator mechanism '4- extending up within basket '3. A transmission structure 5 may be connected to basket 3 and agitator 4, and may be powered by a motor 6; in one conventional commercially provided arrangement, the operation of the electric motor 6 in one direction causes the transmission to oscillate the agitator 4 back and forth within the basket 3 to effect a washing action on clothes in the basket when liquid is contained within the tub 2, and in the other direction of rotation the motor 6 causes transmission 5 to rotate basket 3 and agitator 4 together at high speed to centrifuge liquid out of the clothes. The liquid so removed from the clothes is taken by a pump 7 connected by a hose 8 to drain as will be more fully described herebeldw.

It will be understood that while the conventional components of one particular type of washing machine have been described, the particular components comprising the assembly of the washing machine structure do not form the essence of the present invention and are described only for complete understanding of our invention.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 3, the top of the washing machine cabinet 1 is formed as a lid 9 in which a sink (10 is formed with a drain opening 11. The lid 9 may be pivoted about hinges 12 to an open position. When the lid 9 is opened it will be understood that it atfords ready access to the interior of basket 3 so that clothes may be inserted into the basket for a washing operation to be provided and may be removed from the basket when a washing operation is terminated. When the lid is closed, as shown, the drain opening 1'1 communicates 3 with the upper end 12 of a drain conduit 13 which permits vitiated liquid to drain out of sink by gravity.

It will be understood that the machine 1 is provided with conventional controls, further mentioned herebelow, so that a complete typical cycle of operations may be provided. For instance, in one such cycle water is introduced into the tube 2 and the basket 3, and the agitator 4 is then oscillated back and forth on its axis to wash the clothes in the basket. Then, after a predetermined period of this washing action, basket 3 is rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the Washing liquid from the clothes and pump 7 discharges the liquid so extracted to drain. Following this extraction operation, a supply of clean water is introduced into the basket for rinsing the clothes and the agitator is again oscillated Finally, the basket is once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse water.

It will be noted from FIGURES 1 and 3 that the main part of the washing machine is substantially separate from an upper or control panel assembly 14 which, in modern washing machines, is conventionally provided in order to furnish a suitable mount for the machine controls. In the present case, where a sink 10 is formed in the lid of the Washing machine, it is also proposed to provide suitable liquid supply means for the sink such as the spout 15. In the usual manner, spout 15 may be controlled by manually operable valve members such as that shown at 16. Whereas, in free-standing machines, assembly 14- is rigidly secured to cabinet 1 so that they form a unit as they come from the factory, it is our intention to cause these units to be entirely independent of each other until they are eventually assembled together, in a dwelling, in the final position in which they are to be used.

The bottom or main cabinet 1 of the machine, which encloses the washing machine components on the sides and front thereof, is, as shown in FIGURE 1, preferably substantially open on the rear side thereof, providing an opening 18 through which the components of the machine are accessible. The main cabinet 1 of the machine is provided with feet or supporting legs 19 at its front edge, but is not provided with such legs at its rear edge, being supported in a manner which forms one feature of our invention as will be described herebelow.

Both the main lower part of the washer and the control assembly 14 are secured in a manner to be hereinafter described to a template assembly 20 of sheet material, such as steel, which forms a most important features of our invention. Assembly 20 may, as shown, be formed as two separate parts 21 and 22 bolted together by lag bolts 23 and 24, simply for convenience of manufacture and transportation of the assembly. It will, however, be understood that the two separate parts nonetheless are to be considered as a single unitary assembly for the purposes of our invention in that they provide a main central portion 25, and side edges 26 and 27 which permit the securement of the assembly 20 to vertically extending studs 27aand 28. It will be understood, in this connection, that the studs 27a and 28 form a part of a conventional wall structure of the type generally found in residential buildings. Similarly, horizontally extending stud members 29 and 30 may be provided so as to cooperate with studs 27a and 23 to define an opening 31 inthe wall in the same manner that such studs are conventionally assembled in order to form door and window openings. As shown in FIGURE 2, a conventional double stud arrangement may be provided in connection with the vertically extending studs; similarly, as shown in FIGURE 3, the upper horizontally extending stud may be strengthened with another wooden member for purposes of strength and rigidity in defining and outlining the opening 31.

Opening 31 is formed so as to face the back of the washing machine including both main part 1 and control part 14. The assembly 20 is so formed that its central part 25, when properly positioned, is generally coextensive in width with opening 31, with the side portions 26 and 27 extending across in front of the studs 27a and 28 respectively. In the preferred embodiment of our invention, the center portion 25 of structure 20 is indented relative to the sides 26 and 27, extending back within the wall opening 31 so as to form a recess facing outwardly toward the room in which the washing machine is positioned.

With this indented structure, sides 26 and 27 are, in effect, flanges which extend vertically the entire height of the structure. The structure 20 is held in position, with part 25 within the opening 31 and with the side flanges 26 and 27 respectively secured against the fronts of studs 27a and 23. This may be effected by suitable securing means such as those shown by the numeral 32 in connection with flange 26, and the numeral 33 in connection with flange 27. In addition, of course, the holding members 23 and 24 may double in function so that in addition to holding the two parts 21 and 22 of assembly 20 together they assist the other securing means in holding the assembly 20 to the wall studs.

The top of assembly 20 is formed into a flange 34 extending forwardly as shown in FIGURE 3; similarly, the bottom of structure 20 is formed into a flange 35 extending forwardly and then, if so desired, downwardly as shown at 36. Preferably, both flange 34 and the combination of flanges 35 and 36 extend forward to substantially the same extent as the flanges 26 and 27 so as to form a frame against which the washing machine 1 and its control section 14 may be placed. Then, in combination with the cabinet 1 and the enclosing structure of the control assembly '14, the structure 20 substantially encloses the Washing machine.

A flange member 37 is formed at the bottom of cabinet 1 so as to extend across the bottom of opening 18. At each end of member 37, there are provided openings 38 and 39; these openings are spaced the same distance apart as a pair of forwardly extending projections 40 and 41 secured near the base of flanges 27 and 26 respectively. As shown in connection with projection 40, each one includes a V-shaped recess 42 therein. Thus, when the main machine part 1 is moved backwardly against the assembly 20, the projections 40 and 41 pass through the openings 38 and 39 respectively in member 37. The machine is then solidly positioned by its own weight substantially flush against assembly 20 with the edges of the flange openings seated in the recesses formed in the members 40 and 41 (as shown by recess 42 in member 40). Appropriate front-to-back leveling of the machine may then be effected by means of the legs 19 which are formed in the usual manner so as to be adjustable.

When the back of the machine is thus secured upon the projections 40 and 41, the main cabinet l of the washing machine is secured against the assembly 20 with the opening 13 facing the recessed portion 25 of theassembly 2t) and forming an enclosure therewith for a purpose to be hereinafter more fully explained. Assembly 20 is provided with a substantial, number of knockouts 43 (two of which are shown in FIGURE 2) to permit the passage of hot and cold water plumbing connections 43a and 43b from the back of assembly 20 through to recessed portion 25. It will be understood that the knockouts are distributed so that, wherever it is most convenient for the plumbing system to extend through the assembly 26, there will be a knockout near that position.

The inlet supply conduits43a and 43]) are intended to be connected respectively to connections 44 and '45 of an assembly generally indicated at 46- (FIGURE 2). The assembly 46 is provided with mounting flanges 47 by means of which it is rigidly secured to a bracket 48. The bracket 48 in turn is rigidly secured so as to form a part of assembly 29. In the present case, it is contemplated that bracket 48 will extend substantially across portion 25 of assembly 20, being welded at its ends to flanges 26 and 27.

By providing openings in flanges 4-7 for threaded fasteners 49, and providing openings in bracket 48 to re:-

ceive fasteners 49, the position of assembly 46 on assembly 20 may be exactly predetermined. Since the position of main washing machine part is also precisely determined by virtue of the engagement of the projections 40 and 41 and openings 38 and 39, the position of the assembly 46 with respect to the cabinet 1 is also a predetermined matter.

The assembly 46 includes, as mentioned, connections 44 and 45 adapted to be connected to hot and cold water sources through pipes 43a and 43b in the usual manner. In addition, the assembly includes forwardly extending valve stems 50 and 51. As shown in FIGURE 3, manually operable valve member 16 is provided in cooperative relationship with valve stem 51. In the conventional manner, valve member 16 controls the passage of liquid from connection 45 into the horizontally extending conduit pipe member 53. Extending forward from the center of pipe 53 is a spout connection 54 to which spout 15 is connected. In similar fashion to valve 16, a manually operable member (not shown) cooperates with stem 50 to control the ,passage of water from connection 44 into the horizontally extending pipe 53.

Connections 44- and 45 are also connected through portions 55 and 56 respectively to valves 57 and 58 which in turn are controlled by manually operable members 59 and 60. As can best be seen in FIGURE 3 in connection with valve 58, it controls passage of liquid to a flexible hose-type conduit 61. Similarly, the valve 57 controls the passage of liquid to a similar flexible connection. It will be understood that both flexible conduits (part of the second flexible conduit being shown in FIG- URE 3 by the numeral 62) then extend to a solenoid actuated mixing valve 63 having an outlet 64 which leads to a tub inlet 65. Thus, when liquid passes through either of valves 57' or 5-8 to valve 63, the valve 63 then controls the passage of liquid through outlet 65 into the tub 2.

In summary, it can be seen that the assembly 46 provides the water supply function both for the washing machine through the valves 57 and 5S and for the faucet 15 through the valve connections 50 and 51. Each is controlled independently of the other, that is, the connections to the washing machine are controlled by handles 59 and 60 and may be shut off entirely independently of the connections to faucet 15 which are controlled through the two handles extending out through the front of assembly 14.

Washing machine structure 1 has two drain connections extending from the back thereof, one being the connection to the upper end of drain hose 13 through which liquid drains by gravity from sink 141/, and the other being conduit 8 which extends upwardly from the pump 7. The other end of conduit 8 can be seen in FIGURE 3 secured to a connection 66 formed at the top of a downwardly extending drain pipe 67. =Drain pipe 67 joins with another drain pipe 68 (FIGURE 2) which is positioned so as to extend from junction 69 upwardly to a forwardly extending portion 70 which connects onto the end of conduit section 13. The junction of drain conduit 68 and section 70 thereof is supported by a bracket 71 forming a part of assembly 20. Bracket 71 includes a slotted flange 72 provided so as to support the drain pipe structure within the slot with suflicient room to provide for tolerance variations. A specific position on assembly 20 is provided for the drain pipe assembly by flanges 73 and threaded members 74- which secure the drain pipe in a specific position on assembly 20.

After conduit sections 67 and 68 join, they may be connected with a conventional trap structure 75 and then with a conduit section 76 which extends out of the space formed between assembly 20 and the back of machine 1 through a suitable knockout (not shown) provided for that purpose. Again, as in the case of the supply plumbing, it will be understood that several such knockouts may be provided so that the drain plumbing may pass out 6 through the back or side of the assembly 20 in the most convenient one of several places.

Referring now to the upper control assernlbly 14 of the washing machine, it has an outer enclosing cabinet-type structure generally indicated by the numeral 77 (FIG- URE 3). In the case of assembly 14, the cabinet 77 may include a front opening 78 closed by a decorative assembly 79, with the spout .15 and valve handle 16 extending out through appropriate openings (not shown) in the decorative assembly 79. As is fully described and illustrated in application Serial No. 119,682, filed concurrently herewith by Douglas G. Bailey and assigned to the assignee of the present application, the top of cabinet 77 may be formed as an entirely removable member 80 which, when removed, provides ready access to the valve control members 59 and 60 controlling the flow of liquid to the washing machine. Also, the front portion may be formed as shown at 81 so as to provide an enclosure 82 adapted to receive a suitable lighting arrangement (not shown).

Viewing FIGURES 2 and 3 in combination, the cabinet structure 77 includes upper flanges 83 and 84 at its back and lower flanges 85 and 8 6 similarly positioned. Flanges 8'5 and 86 are respectively for-med and positioned to fit within clips 87 and 88 forming part of flanges 26 and 27 respectively. The upper flanges 83 and 84 are respectively provided with slots 89 and 90 so that, when threaded members 91 and 92 are placed therein and tightened, they secure the cabinet structure 77 to the assembly 20 substantially flush thereagainst, the upper flanges being held by the threaded members and the lower flanges being held within the clips 87 and 38. It will readily be seen that the height at which assembly 14 is secured may be varied by virtue of the provision of slots 89 and 90 so as to provide for tolerance variations during the manufacture of the parts.

After the lower part has been positioned and all connections to it made, including the hose connections from the assembly 46, the upper part may be placed in position and then pressed downwardly so as to fit tightly on top of part 1 with the threaded members 91 and 92 then being tightened to complete the assembly of th structure. Thus, assembly 20, in addition to its other functions, positions the cabinet parts 1 and 14 relative to each other so as to form a single complete assembly.

Completing the description of the hydraulic structure, it will be noted that the drain arrangement includes a forwardly extending portion 93 terminating in an opening 94 directly over a trough 95 formed in cabinet member 77, with a series of small openings 96 being provided at the bottom of the trough. This structure forms the sole invention of Winston L. Shelton and is more fully described and illustrated in application Serial No. 119,451, filed concurrently herewith and assigned to General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. It is sufficient for purposes of explanation to state that any blockage in the drain system, will, initially, cause overflowing to occur through opening 94 and then into trough 95 and through openings 96 so as to flow into the sink 10, thereby to provide a visible signal that a blockage has occurred. In addition, the opening 94 provides the air gap necessary to prevent the possibility that waste liquid may be siphoned back from a sewver system.

It will be observed, that, in the top area where the controls are provided, all hydraulic parts, both supply and drainage, are over on the left hand side as viewed in FIG- URE 2. On the right hand side, laterally spaced from the hydraulic parts but also secured to bracket 48, is an electric control assembly 97 for the washing means which includes a number of control members 98 and 99 all of which are arranged so as to extend through the decorative assembly 79. It will again be seen that, due to the fact that the control assembly97 is secured on the bracket 48 in a particular relationship thereto by means of threaded members 100 fitting through prepositioned openings in the assembly 20, the control assembly is of necessity properly positioned relative to the rest of the'rnachine including the controls and the bottom part thereof. Suitable mounting means are also provided on the top flange 34 of assembly for electrical connections generally indicated by the numeral ltll. It will be understood that conductors such as that shown at 1&2 pass through assembly 20' into recessed portion to connect the assembly 1G1 to a source of power, the conductors passing through suitable knockouts. Then a conventional electrical connection 1&3 may be provided to connect control assembly 97 to electric outlet 101, and aconnection 10 1- fromthe control assem ly may join the conductors 105 extending up from the machine components such as motor 6 and valve es.

Reviewing briefly the functions of the assembly 20 with respect to the washing machine, it will be seen that it provides a rigid fire wall for the back of the machine, preventing any possibility that fire within the machine may escape to the remainder of the building within which the machine is positioned since a substantially complete enclosure is provided by the assembly Zt) with the machine. In addition it will be noted that the indented character of the preferred structure from its top to its bottom provides a substantial amount of space within the wall which actually, although within the wall against which the machine is positioned, constitutes a part of the machine for practical purposes. It will further be noted that the assembly 20 provides a precise position for the cabinet 1, and also provides a precise but adjustable arrangement for positionin g the assembly 14 on the part 1 subsequent to making the necessary electric and hydraulic connections. Thus, by use of the arrangement shown, the washing machine may be readily and easily assembled in place. In addition, all necessary statutory and code requirements are met by the enclosure of the machine in back while, at the same time, the part which forms an enclosure also provides a support for the machine securing it in position against the wall.

It will be understood that while in accordance with the patent statutes, we have described What at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from our invention, and it is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination: a structure of rigid sheet material formed to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs, said structure being formed to accommodate passage of plumbing and electrical connections; a washing machine including cabinet means substantially enclosing said machine except on the back side thereof; means for removably securing said machine to said structure with said cabinet means substantially flush thereagainst, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back side of said machine, said machine and said structure forming a substantial space therebetween within said cabinet means for the accommodation of plumbing and electrical connections.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said machine includes a pair of supporting members secured extending down at each side of the front of said cabinet means, and means at the back of said cabinet means for engaging said structure and supporting said machine cooperatively with said two front supporting means.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 2 wherein said structure includes forwardly extending projections, each projection having a recess formed in its upper surface, and said washer cabinet means has a flange extending across the back thereof adjacent the bottom thereof with openings in registry with said projections, said flange being seated in said recesses when said washer is in position against said structure.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said structure has a substantially indented center portion extending vertically from top to bottom between said studs when said structure is secured to said studs, and vertically extending forwardly positioned flanges at each side of said center portion adapted to be secured to said studs.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein said structure further has forwardly turned flanges formed at its top and bottom thereby to enclose said indented portion on all sides except the front thereof.

6. In combination: a structure ofrigid sheet material formed to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs, said structure being formed so as to accommodate passage of plumbing and electrical connections; a washing machine including a washing assembly, first cabinet means substantially enclosing said washing assembly, a control assembly, and second cabinet means substantially enclosing said control assembly; means for removably securing said first cabinet means to said structure substantially flush thereagainst, means for securing said second cabinet means to said structure directly above said first cabinet means substantially flushagainst the top of said first cabinet means, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back side of said first and second cabinet mean, said first and second cabinet means and said structure forming a substantial space therebetween within said cabinet means for the accommodation of plumbing and electrical connections.

7. In combination: a structure of rigid sheet material formed to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs, said structure being formed to accommodate passage of plumbing and electrical connections; a washing machine including a washing assembly, first cabinet means substantially enclosing said washing assembly except on the back side thereof, acontrol assembly, second cabinet means for enclosing said control assembly, means for removably securing said first cabinet means to said structure substantially flush thereagainst; means formed on said structure for securing said second cabinet means thereto in adjustable relationship thereto directly above said first cabinet means, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back side of both of said cabinet means, said cabinet means and said structure forming a substantial space therebetween said two cabinet means for the accommodation of plumbing and electrical connections.

8. In combination: a structure of rigid sheet material formed to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs, said structure being formed to accommodate passage of plumbing and electrical connections; a washing machine including washing means and first cabinet means substantially enclosing said washing means except on the back side thereof; hydraulic and electrical control apparatus for said washing machine secured to said structure adjacent the top thereof; means for removably securing said first cabinet means to said structure substantially flush thereagainst; second cabinet means formed to enclose said hydraulic and electrical control means; means for securing said second cabinet means to said structure above said first cabinet means substantially flush against said structure and said first cabinet means, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back side of said cabinet means, said cabinet means and said structure forming a substantial space therebetween within said cabinet means for the accommodation of said hydraulic and electrical control means and for plumbing and electrical connections.

9. In combination: a structure of rigid sheet material formed to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs, said structure being formed to accommodate the passage of plumbing and electrical connections; a washing machine including first cabinet means substantially enclosing said machine except on the back side thereof, the top of said cabinet means being formed as a sink;

hydraulic apparatus for providing water to said washing machine, said apparatus including a spout extending over said sink and manually operable control means for controlling the passage of water through said spout to said sink; means for removably securing said first cabinet means to said structure substantially flush thereagainst, second cabinet means for enclosing said hydraulic means with the exception of said spout and said manually operable control means therefor, means for securing said second cabinet means to said structure directly above said first cabinet means, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back side of both said cabinet means, said two cabinet means and said structure forming a substantial space therebetween within said cabinet means for the accommodation of plumbing and electrical connections and for said hydraulic apparatus.

10. The apparatus defined in claim 9 including electric supply and control means for said washing machine, said control means being secured on one side of said structure above said first cabinet means, and said hydraulic means including said spout being secured on the other side of said structure above said first cabinet means in laterally spaced relation to said electric supply and control means.

11. In combination: a structure of rigid sheet material adapted to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs, said structure being formed to accommodate passage of plumbing and electrical connections; a washing machine including Washing means and first cabinet means substantially enclosing said washing means except on the back side thereof, said first cabinet means in eluding a sink formed in the top surface thereof; control means for said washing machine secured to said structure above said first cabinet means; hydraulic means for supplying water to said washing machine and said sink secured to said structure above said first cabinet means; said sheet metal structure having an indented central portion extending vertically from top to bottom thereof and vertically extending forwardly positioned flanges at each side of said center portion; means for removably securing said first cabinet means to said side portions of said structure substantially flush thereagainst; second cabinet means enclosing said hydraulic means and said control means, means securing said second cabinet means to said side portions of said structure substantially flush thereagainst above said first cabinet means, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back sides of said first and second cabinet means.

12. In combination: a sheet metal structure adapted to be secured substantially vertically to spaced Wall studs; hydraulic connections extending through said structure to the front thereof; washing means and first cabinet means substantially enclosing said washing means except on the back side thereof, the top of said cabinet means being formed as a sink; means for securing said first cabinet means to said structure with said first cabinet means substantially flush thereagainst; hydraulic apparatus secured to said structure above said first cabinet means and connected to said hydraulic means, said hydraulic structure including a spout extending over said sink when said first cabinet means is secured to said structure and manual controls for said spout; second cabinet means adapted to be secured to said structure for enclosing said hydraulic means except for said spout and the manual controls therefor; means for securing said second cabinet means to said structure above said first cabinet means, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back sides of said first and second cabinet means.

13. For use in combination with a washing machine: a sheet metal structure including a pair of edge flanges extending the full height of said structure and a central portion indented relative to said flanges, said flanges being formed to be secured to spaced wall studs so that said structure extends substantially vertically with said central indented portion between said studs, means extending forward from each of said flanges adjacent the bottom thereof for supporting a Washing machine structure, and means within said central indented portion for supporting hydraulic and electrical apparatus for enabling operation of said washing machine.

14. The apparatus defined in claim 13 wherein forwardly extending flanges are provided at the bottom and top of said central indented portion so as to enclose said indented portion of said structure on all sides except the front thereof.

15. In combination: a metal structure of rigid sheet material adapted to be secured substantially vertically to spaced wall studs; plumbing and electrical connections extending from one side of said sheet metal structure to the other side into a position where they are connectable to a washing machine; a washing machine including first cabinet means substantially enclosing said machine except on the back side thereof; means for removably securing said machine to said structure With said cabinet means substantially flush thereagainst, said structure being substantially coextensive with and substantially closing the back side of said machine; electric control means for said machine secured to said structure above said first cabinet means; second cabinet means enclosing said eon trol means; means securing said second cabinet means to said structure above said first cabinet means, said cabinet means and said structure forming a substantial space therebetween within said cabinet means; plumbing means extending from said machine into engagement with said plumbing connections Within said space; and electrically conductive means extending from said control means into engagement with said electrical connections within said space.

16. For use in combination with a washing machine: a sheet metal structure including separated edge flanges and a central substantially rectangular portion indented relative to said flanges therebetween, said flanges being formed to be secured to spaced Wall studs so that said structure extends substantially vertically with said central portion between said studs, means extending forward from each of said flanges adjacent the bottom of said central portion for supporting a washing machine structure, and means Within said central portion for supporting hydraulic and electrical apparatus for enabling operation of said washing machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,832,080 Hertenstein et al Apr. 29, 1958 2,952,271 Dick et al Sept. 13, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 552,208 Belgium Nov. 14, 1956 1,033,093 France Apr. 1, 1953 

